When a patio is constructed properly, weeds are not going to grow up from underneath and through the patio. There is typically a 4 – 6″ base of crushed stone and screening that is used and it is tamped down to make a solid base. A best practice would be to use a polymeric sand to spread in between the pavers and allow it to harden.

If the correct protocol is followed, weeds will not grow from underneath the patio. What can and will happen is weeds growing from seedlings that get blown onto the top of the patio either by wind, trees, or mowing. This is far different and much easier to maintain than weeds that are rooted below.

It is a common misconception and knock against pavers that weeds grow from below. When built properly, this is not the case! To find out more about patios and outdoor living spaces, go to archadeckofcharlotte.com

Archadeck of Charlotte designed and built this decorative retaining wall and paver patio with paver steps

Archadeck of Charlotte designed and built the herringbone pattern pool deck with brick pavers

Archadeck of Charlotte designed and built this cedar pergola in south Charlotte with a fieldstone outdoor kitchen and Green Egg

Paver Patio with ledge stone fire pit and sitting wall and a wood pergola with an outdoor kitchen in Ft. Mill, SC

While pergola’s are beautiful, there remains questions as to how much shade they actually provide. Over the past 10 years, there have been a variety of solutions that will provide additional shade and even create a dry space under your pergola.

Trex deck with pergola and composite rail by Archadeck of Charlotte

Another popular option is a pergola over a patio

The early solutions were fabric that could be attached to the top of the pergola to act similar to an awning but they were fixed in place. They came in a variety of colors and the Sunbrella fabric prevented them from fading. Some of the challenges we mildew and they still were not water proof.

Later, a company called Shade Tree developed a retractable fabric that installed under the pergola rafters. These have great utility but again are not water proof.

Most recently, we have discovered a polycarbonate resin that acts as a roof that can be screwed down on top of the pergola. This not only provides additional shade but is water proof!

If you are looking for just more shade, the easy solution is to add more rafters and perlins and place them closer together! To see a complete photo gallery of images of pergolas, go to archadeckofcharlotte.com

As Eze Breeze windows have grown in popularity in the Charlotte, NC market, there is a thirst for knowledge around pricing. The actual landed cost around the windows (which are custom made) are somewhat comparable to a vinyl framed glass window while they are quite a bit larger.

The installation cost of an Eze Breeze window is less as is the trim work required around the system. The keys are that when you look at enclosing a porch, adding glass means also adding trim inside and outside. In addition, depending on your local building codes, once you add glass to your porch, it may require a building permit while adding Eze Breeze does not!

EZE Breeze screen porch with a difficult roof connection built by Archadeck of Charlotte

Eze Breeze windows are great and affordable porch enclosure solution providing you are not looking for a room addition, but rather an outdoor room. In the Charlotte market, we can use our porches most of the 12 months a year if we add either an outdoor fireplace or heaters to the porch. The beauty over glass, is that the windows allow for more free air flow in the warmer months and more of a cross breeze since they are able to be built from the ceiling to the floor unlike glass windows due the weight for the hardware.

To find out more about Eze Breeze windows, go to archadeckofcharlotte.com

With the absurd growth of paver and stone patios, the public is taking notice of features that accompany them. Whether it be an outdoor fireplace, fire pit, outdoor kitchen, or sitting walls.

The sitting walls serve multiple purposes. They are custom designed to meet function and aesthetics.

Paver Patio with ledge stone fire pit and sitting wall and a wood pergola with an outdoor kitchen in Ft. Mill, SC

At Archadeck of Charlotte, we typically design them to follow the soft curve or bay of a patio layout to add a “picture frame” or provide definition. They are commonly used as a space saver when we build a fire pit as shown above. We design them to be 18″ – 20″ tall, which matches the height of a typical chair you would sit in.

Other uses include the function of a barrier to water draining back onto the patio due to the grade of your land. In addition, they can be used as a combination of a retaining wall and a sitting wall. Go to archadeckofcharlotte.com to see a complete photo gallery of outdoor living space designs.

Archadeck of Charlotte designed and built this pave patio with paver steps and sitting walls

Through out the years of composite decking, there have been numerous problems with quality and customer satisfaction. Trex composite decking is far and away the best known brand in the category and had its share of challenges early on.

Archadeck of Charlotte built this Trex Transcends Spice Rum composite deck with a composite bench and stone fire pit that is gas burning

Trex developed a newer version with enhanced technology to address the common issues found with most composite decking.

What problems are there still with today’s Trex? Next to none! We have installed over a $5mm in Trex decking in the past few years and have not had call backs. The product they refer to as Trex Transcends has a protective cap stock that prevents fading, scratching, and even staining from occurring. They even provide a 25-year warranty against these issues now.

Archadeck of Charlotte custom designed and built this TimberTech Earthwoods Teak Composite deck and Black Radiance Rail

At Archadeck of Charlotte, we could not be more please with the product quality and aesthetics of the product. For all of the negative publicity the category has received over the years, the product enhancements are remarkable and dependable. As a Trex Pro Platinum installer, go to archadeckofcharlotte.com for a great photo gallery of outdoor living spaces.

Building a “sun room” without HVAC is possible. Defining a “sun room” varies by person that is asked.

Our definition of a sun room is a room that is primarily glass but is not necessarily heated and cooled. Some people refer to a screen porch as a sun room. Others refer to any room on the back of the house as a sun room. A more classic definition of a sun room is a room that is used for recreation and escape and allows maximum light exposure to make you feel more like you are outdoors!

Archadeck of Charlotte builds classic stick-built construction that is designed to match the architecture of your existing home.

The only legal way to build a sun room with out heating and air conditioning it in Charlotte, NC and the surrounding area is to leave the existing door from the house intact completely. Once you modify the opening in anyway, the code then calls for the room to be completely insulated and HVAC installed to code.

For more information on sun room design and building codes, go to archadeckofcharlotte.com

The origins of hardscapes was really referring to any retaining wall work and patio work. Today we lump the term “hardscapes” with almost any hard surface like outdoor kitchens, outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, and water features.

The market has made a major shift towards more and more hardscape designs in the Carolinas. The combination of substrates such as stacked stone, pavers, and block are a very common theme today.

Archadeck of Charlotte designed and built this decorative retaining wall and paver patio with paver steps

Fire pit on paver patio with stone sitting wall in Charlotte, NC

To see a wide variety of hardscape designs, you can visit archadeckofcharlotte.com or go to the show room in Charlotte at 2225 Coronation Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28227.